Figuring out how to pick the right products for your skin is definitely at the top of the list for most confusing aspect of getting to great skin. There are just sooooo many products available and the marketing used is so loud, it's easy to be convinced that you "need" the latest thing that every celeb and influencer is promoting. Before I became an esthetician I spend thousands of dollars on products (Sephora VIB Rouge, anyone?) and I still hated my skin and was desperate for a better way.
So what do you do?
First, protect and repair your skin barrier so you can discover your true skin type. My skin was the worst it had every been when I graduated from beauty school. We practiced treatments on each other and my skin had been so over exfoliated that I was red, sensitized, broken out, and reactive to anything I put on my face. It took me almost 6 months of only gentle cleanser and barrier repair cream to meet my real skin. Need a recommendation? This is my go to routine for skin in crisis: Pore Cleansing Oil, Purifying Treatment Essence, Rescue Balm
Next, determine what kind of skin you have an what ingredients will be helpful or detrimental for you. Acne-prone, skin with rosacea, hyper-pigmented skin, and reactive (sensitive) skin will need to be very careful with ingredients, especially active ingredients. Most products on the market are designed for "normal" skin and even products designed specifically for acne can cause more problems than they solve. How do you know which ingredients are right for your skin? Honestly, I don't have
space or time here to list out everything you need to know about ingredients here but I promise future post on ingredients!
Then build your routine from the ground up - cleanser, toner, moisturizer, SPF. Pick products with the right ingredients. Sometimes you will also need a treatment serum to address specific concerns but for the most part, I recommend starting with simplicity then adding on only after the skin has had time to acclimate. If you're ready for a review of your current routine and recommendations tailored to your skin, book a consultation with me now and we'll get you on the right track.
How do you know if you products are working or making things worse? Sometimes when we start a new routine the skin reacts by getting worse before it gets better and it's hard to determine between this purging and a bad reaction. Generally, go slow when adding actives and give products at least 6 weeks before making a judgement about whether or not they are working. If your skin is hot, tight, red or itchy - you are probably having a negative reaction and want to step back to the barrier repair routine until everything calms down.
Last piece of advice: get into a solid routine! Morning and night, no exceptions. Even the best products don't work if they only sit on your shelf 😉
Hopefully, you're feeling a little more confident with designing your routine. If you need a little more guidance - I'm here for you!